Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

Hellena and Florinda argue over whether Hellena, who is about to go into a convent and become a nun, should be as interested as she is in love, romance and relationships. Conversation reveals that there are three men interested in marrying Florinda - the elderly Don Vincentio, whom Florinda can't stand and who her father hopes that she'll marry; the well born Don Antonio, whom Florinda and Hellena's brother Pedro favor; and Captain Belvile, a British officer with whom Florinda is in love. Their teasing banter also reveals that there's a carnival in town, and that Hellena is resolved to find herself a lover there.

Pedro and the maid, Callis, come in. As Pedro dresses to go to the carnival, he and Florinda discuss Vincentio, whom Florinda says again that she can't stand and whom Pedro says would be a good...